Environment ministers have agreed to strengthen controls on particle pollution, speed up work on a national clean air agreement and establish a national standard for the environmental management of chemicals.
Today's NSW Budget allocates $7 million to overhaul biodiversity laws and policies, and $16.9 million to halve assessment time for major projects and improve consultation.
The Victorian Government has asked experts to advise it on a new coastal and marine law, and is re-examining ways to fund action to reduce severe flooding.
Government, Labor and Greens senators want to reduce levels of coal particulate in the Great Barrier Reef region, specify new limits for nutrient and particle-runoff and impose a moratorium on dredge spoil disposal.
Dredging and other activities that affect the Great Barrier Reef would no longer require EPBC approval, but would instead only be assessed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, under new proposals.
Chevron Australia has revealed how Direct Action will affect its Gorgon LNG gas project, as it seeks approval for a fourth LNG train that could boost annual emissions to almost 7.7 million tonnes a year.
A new international report specifies eight key climate change risks for Australia, while a draft federal report says warming will 'dramatically affect' biodiversity across the continent.